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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

#3 Whooping Crane vs. #14 Wilson's Phalarope

#3 - Whooping Crane

Whooping Crane populations have been rising over the past few years. While there were only 100 Whooping Cranes left in the world in 1987, that number had grown to 468 by 2004.

Whooping Cranes are territorial on both their wintering and breeding grounds.

Whooping Cranes are the tallest North American bird.

Whooping Cranes live between 22 and 24 years in the wild.

While many people believe that cranes dance to attract a mate that is not true. Dancing is a normal part of crane development that thwarts aggression, relieves tension and strengthens crane pairs bonds.

#14 - Wilson’s Phalarope

Unlike most other bird species, females are larger and more colorful than males.

After laying their eggs, the females leave the males to incubate the eggs and they begin their migration.

Once they hatch, the young catch food on their own and are not feed by the adults.

The Wilson’s is the largest of the phalaropes.

The Wilson's Phalarope swims in circles to stir up food but does not swim in deep bodies of water like the other phalaropes.

Wilson’s Phalaropes face a huge threat from the draining of the wetlands where they nest.